The South African senior women’s national team will open the Three-Nations series against Botswana on Wednesday (28/5). Botswana will then face Zambia on Saturday (31/5) before Banyana Banyana wrap up the series with a clash against Zambia on Tuesday (3/6). 

These matches are part of the team’s preparations as they get ready to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title. The continental tournament is set to take place in Morocco from 5 to 26 July.

Ellis highlighted the importance of the fixtures, warning against underestimating the competition despite South Africa’s ranking.

Thembi Kgatlana. Photo: X

“We’re the highest-ranked team in the Cosaf A region, but I don’t think that means much going into these friendlies,” said Ellis.

“Being the defending Wafcon champions comes with added pressure – everyone wants to beat you and give their best performance.” She said the matches would be a valuable test for all three teams involved.

“All of us are heading to Wafcon. Botswana reached the quarter-finals last time, Zambia made the semi-finals. So it’s a tough test for us – just as much as it is for them. Physicality is something we’ve struggled with at times, and both these teams will bring that intensity.”

‘We’ll need to be well-organised at the back’

 “We need to focus on keeping better control in games, and these matches will help us assess where we are. Defensively, we need to be tighter, especially at set-pieces – both sides pose a threat in that area. They also have real pace going forward, so we’ll need to be well-organised at the back, which is exactly the kind of challenge we’ll face at Wafcon.”

Notably, star striker Thembi Kgatlana has not been included in the squad for this camp. Ellis explained Kgatlana has club commitments in North America, and the travel involved would have made it difficult for her to arrive fresh and fully prepared for the matches.

All three games will be hosted at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg